Odds and Book Ends features activities and events in the area related to libraries, books and authors. Submit your events at www.News-Herald.com/Calendar, and check back to The Book Club every week for upcoming events and activities at your local library.

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This week

Twenty Something Readers will meet at Panera, 9587 Mentor Ave., Mentor, at 6:30 p.m. May 31. The group will discuss April's selection of "The Nation" by Terry Pratchett. Refreshments will be served. For more information and to get a copy of the book, contact Mentor Library at 440-255-8811.


Perry Library, 3753 Main St., will present a program on Victorian Weddings at 7 p.m. June 2. Allison Powell of the National Park Service will talk about attire, flowers, menu, music, favors and the distinctively formal flavor and style of the era. Registration required: 440-259-3300.


"Kids Love Musicals" theater workshop at Perry Library, 3753 Main St., will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 4. Children in grades K-5 (and an adult) will learn from artists who will lead children in the singing, dancing and acting out key moments from "Peter Pan." Bring a sack lunch. Details and registration: 440-259-3300 or perrypubliclibrary.org.


An experienced geocacher will introduce geocaching to those interested at 2 p.m. June 4 at Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville. The geocacher will lead attendees in uncovering several local caches.

Coming up

The Monday Night Book Discussion meets the first Monday of each month from October through June, with the next meeting slated for 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 6 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. For this month's selection, contact librarian Barb Hauer at 440-255-8811, ext. 210. The library provides books, and refreshments are courtesy of the Friends of the Library.


The Willoughby Area Support Group of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 7 at Willoughby Library, 30 Public Square. Details: 440-717-0183.


The Mentor Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon June 8 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month. Those with MS or affected by MS are welcome to attend.


Mentor Police will offer important safety tips for the summer from 7 to 8 p.m. June 8 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. The entire family is welcome. Details and registration: 440-255-8811, ext. 215.


One World, Many Stories summer reading program kicks off June 9 at Henderson Memorial Library, 54 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson. Register June 9 at the library and pick up a reading log and complete details for the reading contest, as well as a list of programs to travel with the library to Africa, Mexico, Japan, America, Scotland, Australia and China. The program is open to all children and families. Details: 440-576-3761.


Paranormal University: Ghosts and Hauntings will be 7 to 8 p.m. June 9 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Explore all things paranormal with Willoughby "Ghost Lady" Cathi Weber. Identify spirits, types of hauntings, paranormal terms and much more. Details: 440-255-8811, ext. 215, or www.mentorpl.org.


Cartoonist Jenny Campbell will be featured in a program at 11 a.m. June 13 at West Geauga Senior Center, 11414 Caves Road, Chester Township. Campbell is a children’s illustrator and the author of the nationally syndicated cartoon strip "Flo & Friends." She will talk about her career, background and inspiration for the cartoon strip. For reservations, call 440-729-2782.


Reel Talk-Book and Movie Discussion Group meets at 2:45 p.m. the second Monday of every month - with the next meeting slated for June 13 - in Meeting Room B of Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville. Books and DVDs are available at the check-out desk on the main floor. Details: 440-352-3383 or
www.morleylibrary.org.

Ongoing events

Middle Ridge Gardens, 6559 Middle Ridge Road, Madison, is hosting a Combo Pot Contest as a fundraiser for Madison Library. Participants may design their own planters or purchase a package from Middle Ridge Gardens. Categories for entries for children are ages zero to 6, ages 7 to 9, and ages 10 to 13, with the topic of KIDS Bicentennial. Adult categories will be Edible, Madison Bicentennial, Creative Containers and Corporate. Entry tickets are $5 and available at Madison Library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road, or Middle Ridge Gardens. The planters will be judged June 8 at a Combo Pot Potluck dinner, with live music in the main greenhouse at the garden center. The event will be 6 to 8 p.m., and everyone attending is asked to bring a beverage and dish to pass. Winners will receive $50 gift certificates to local businesses. A 50/50 raffle so will be part of the evening. Details: Madison Library at 440-428-2189.


National Candy Month Contest at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., will be May 16 through June 16. June is Candy Month. Check out books from the children's area and receive one chance at guessing how many candies are in the jar. The person with the closest answer wins the jar. One guess per child, per day. The winner will be announced June 17. Details: 440-255-8811.


Tours of the Penfield House, a local home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, will take place at 3, 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. June 9. Because of the popularity of this fundraiser for the 2011 Summer Reading Program, registration will be done by a random lottery. To be entered into the lottery, call the Willowick Library at 440-943-4151, ext. 3. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. May 21. Be ready to rank in order a preference of tour times. Cost of the tour is $25 per person. Transportation will depart from the Willoughby Hills Library, 35400 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills.


Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, will host the traveling exhibit "A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs 1910-1965" through July 1. Only 55 libraries across the U.S. were selected to host the exhibit, which is composed of eight colorful double-sided panels filled with text and photographs highlighting the spirit of the musical era. The Bainbridge Library is offering a variety of free programs to enhance the exhibit experience. On June 3, Bill Rudman will present the grand opening for the exhibit with "Jewish Songwriters United: Their Impact on the American Musical" as an after-hours special event at 7:30 p.m. Larry Sheir, cantor at the Westside Temple Beth Israel, will present the grand finale "From Tin Pan Alley to Broadway" at 7 p.m. June 28. Also, the library will show movie musicals that showcase the songwriters included in the exhibit at 2 p.m. on Fridays in June. For more information on the event, call 440-543-5611.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

This month's LitSoup is a even simpler question than last month's:

What is on your summer reading list?

Are you getting to that best-seller you haven't had the chance to pick up? Are you taking some mindless chick lit to the beach with you?

I posed this question to the newsroom, and these are the responses I received:

Tricia Ambrose:

• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
• Sing you Home by Jodi Picoult
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• Plus a bunch of juicy paperbacks for the beach, at least a handful of nonfiction works and one classic re-read, I’m thinking The Great Gatsby

Mike Butz:

• I don’t really have a summer reading list, per se, but I’d like to finish reading “Triumph of the City” by Edward Glaeser. I started it shortly after it was released earlier this year but put it down and never got back to it.

Danielle Capriato:

• First of all, a big part of my summer reading list is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Since the final Harry Potter movie will be released in July (ohmygosh!), I have to reread the book. But that will be an easy read for me, having read each book in the series so many times.
• Other books on my list include The Hunger Games trilogy. I asked friends for recommendations, and this was by far the most recommended. I’ve heard so many good things and have wanted to read it anyway. It’s moved up on my list.
• I also want to read Sweet Valley Confidential ASAP. The fact that I haven’t yet is incredibly unfortunate.

Jeffrey L. Frischkorn:

• Most of anticipated "book" reading this summer will be magazines, particularly those devoted to shooting and hunting with a seasoning of fishing magazines. Among them: American Rifleman, Guns and Ammo, Shooting Times, Ohio Outdoor News, American Hunter, National Geographic, Smithsonian, American History Channel, American Heritage, Pennsylvania Angler... And when I'm done with Ezekiel in the Old Testament I'll move on to the Book of Acts in the New Testament
• Somewhere I hope to squeeze in rereading a couple of favorite books like "The Old Man and the Boy," the "Best of Cory Ford" and T. Roosevelt's tome on his post-presidency safari to Africa with his son, Kermit...

Angela Gartner:

• Short stories has held my interest all year long. This summer will be no exception as a I dig deeper into Stephen King’s short story collections.
• Three books - Skelton Crew, Four after Midnight, and Night Shift – are on my list.
• As I learned last year, audiobooks make a wonderful addition to a summer running regiment. (Just a word of warning – don’t listen to a horror/mystery audiobook if running alone at the Lake Metroparks –I found out this spring, your heart beats a little faster.)

Rachel Jackson:

• The one sure item atop my ever-shifting stack of reading material is the current issue of Outside mag. It’s usually supplemented by some books as well, but which book I actually read is chosen at random from the stack of “newly purchased books and books I just haven’t gotten to yet.” 
• Right now, I’m partway through the first book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series – I saw the HBO adaptation and it inspired me to give the books a try.

Cheryl Sadler:

• Freedom
  
• Little Women, shortly followed by Little Women and Werewolves
• Eat, Pray, Love (I keep getting interrupted when I pick it up)
• Googled: The End of the World as We Know it
• All Facts Considered
• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

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This post is part of a LitSoup, a monthly feature on The Book Club compiled of contributions from the newsroom. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future LitSoup topics.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Odds and Book Ends features activities and events in the area related to libraries, books and authors. Submit your events at www.News-Herald.com/Calendar, and check back to The Book Club every week for upcoming events and activities at your local library.

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This week

Book and Brush Club will meet to discuss "The Wayward Muse" by Elizabeth Hickey at 7 p.m. May 25 at the Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Light refreshments will be served. For details on how to explore the fine arts through literature, call the library at 440-255-8811 ext. 210.


The Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library will host a free Women and Strength Training class — presented by Fitworks — at 7 p.m. May 26 at the Willowick Library, 263 E. 305th St. To register, call the library at 440-943-4151.


Profilers Crime Time will meet at 7 p.m. May 26 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Members will discuss "The High Window" by Raymond Chandler. Light refreshments will be served. For a copy of the book, please go to the Information Services desk. Details: 440-255-8811, ext. 214.


The Friends of the Burton Public Library will have a book sale in the library basement from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28. Items available include books, magazines, vintage materials, maps, records, CDs, tapes, movies and puzzles. Please enter the sale through the white door located at the back of the building, 14588 W. Park St.

Coming up

Twenty Something Readers will meet at Panera, 9587 Mentor Ave., Mentor, at 6:30 p.m. May 31. The group will discuss April's selection of "The Nation" by Terry Pratchett. Refreshments will be served. For more information and to get a copy of the book, contact Mentor Library at 440-255-8811.


Perry Library, 3753 Main St., will present a program on Victorian Weddings at 7 p.m. June 2. Allison Powell of the National Park Service will talk about attire, flowers, menu, music, favors and the distinctively formal flavor and style of the era. Registration required: 440-259-3300.


An experienced geocacher will introduce geocaching to those interested at 2 p.m. June 4 at Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville. The geocacher will lead attendees in uncovering several local caches.


The Monday Night Book Discussion meets the first Monday of each month from October through June, with the next meeting slated for 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 6 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. For this month's selection, contact librarian Barb Hauer at 440-255-8811, ext. 210. The library provides books, and refreshments are courtesy of the Friends of the Library.

Ongoing events

Special storytimes with Mr. Dennis begin May 16 as the Mentor Library children's department gears up for its summer reading program. Mr. Dennis will be providing special storytimes for two weeks between May 16 and May 27. Details: 440-255-8811.


National Candy Month Contest at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., will be May 16 through June 16. June is Candy Month. Check out books from the children's area and receive one chance at guessing how many candies are in the jar. The person with the closest answer wins the jar. One guess per child, per day. The winner will be announced June 17. Details: 440-255-8811.


Tours of the Penfield House, a local home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, will take place at 3, 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. June 9. Because of the popularity of this fundraiser for the 2011 Summer Reading Program, registration will be done by a random lottery. To be entered into the lottery, call the Willowick Library at 440-943-4151, ext. 3. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. May 21. Be ready to rank in order a preference of tour times. Cost of the tour is $25 per person. Transportation will depart from the Willoughby Hills Library, 35400 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills.


Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, will host the traveling exhibit "A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs 1910-1965" through July 1. Only 55 libraries across the U.S. were selected to host the exhibit, which is composed of eight colorful double-sided panels filled with text and photographs highlighting the spirit of the musical era. The Bainbridge Library is offering a variety of free programs to enhance the exhibit experience. On June 3, Bill Rudman will present the grand opening for the exhibit with "Jewish Songwriters United: Their Impact on the American Musical" as an after-hours special event at 7:30 p.m. Larry Sheir, cantor at the Westside Temple Beth Israel, will present the grand finale "From Tin Pan Alley to Broadway" at 7 p.m. June 28. Also, the library will show movie musicals that showcase the songwriters included in the exhibit at 2 p.m. on Fridays in June. For more information on the event, call 440-543-5611.


Morley Library has expanded its services with e-books, and more audiobooks available to download from the Morley website. Library cardholders can check out and download digital media to their home computers, and transfer to enjoy on mp3 players and e-readers such as the iPod, Sony Reader and Nook. Patrons can browse the Morley digital collection and check out 24/7. Titles automatically expire at the end of the lending period, so there are no late fees. This new service is available to patrons with their Morley Library card. To get started downloading audiobooks and e-books, visit www.morleylibrary.org.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

It's not often that I stumble upon books in which the main character is dying - and that spend so little time on the actual cause of death.
"The Household Guide to Dying: A Novel About Life" by Debra Adelaide is just that.
Delia is an advice columnist, wife and mother who has stopped battling against her illness. She wants to tie up a few loose ends and live out her remaining days.
Little time is spent on her disease and the ravages of its treatement.
Instead Delia wants to pen one last guide for her fans, a guide to dying.
I loved the premise and I enjoyed the time travel from present day to past as she went about her loose-ends-tying.
Delia is more matter-of-fact than I imagine I would be in similar circumstances. She works on planning her young daughters' weddings and worries about the running of the household after she's gone.
But the reader in me completely bonded with Delia when she talked about her connection to the books she'd be leaving behind.

"Not so long ago, if I'd known I'd be dying without the chance of rereading my most beloved books, I might have wept, been desolate at the idea of taking off without a final farewell to such cherished friends. ... But now all that didn't matter. Looking at those titles piled up against each other of the shelf in the hallway, I felt almost pleased that I could say farewell."

That sense of accomplishment at having read, that feeling that those favorite works are friends, that sadness  that there are no more such discoveries. What reader wouldn't agree?
Got me thinking, as it did Delia, about what book I'd want to be reading at the actual moment of death.
Would it be the Bible? one of my favorite novels? poetry? I hope it's a good many years before I truly have to answer that question, but I think it'd be poetry. Probably some Robert Frost or depending on the circumstances perhaps Sylvia Plath.
How about you? What would you like to be reading in your final moments?

- Tricia Ambrose

Odds and Book Ends features activities and events in the area related to libraries, books and authors. Submit your events at www.News-Herald.com/Calendar, and check back to The Book Club every week for upcoming events and activities at your local library.

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This week

The Book Club for Men will meet at 7 p.m. May 16 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. The group will discuss the book "Americans in Paris: Life and Death under Nazi Occupation" by Charles Glass. Light refreshments will be served. For a copy of the book, go to the information services desk, or for more information contact the library at 440-255-8811, ext. 215. Book Club for Men is free and open to the public.


"10 Steps to Living with Lupus" from the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning May 17 at Willoughby Library, 30 Public Square. Reservations are required for each step at 440-717-0183 or info@lupuscleveland.org.


The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance of Northeast Ohio will present "Rollercoaster: Parenting someone living with a psychiatric health condition" from 6 to 8 p.m. May 19 at Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville. Mary Ann Jones, a former NAMI family-to-family facilitator and toastmaster, will share the highs and lows of a parent whose son lives with a psychiatric health condition. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. The program is designed for anyone whose life has been affected by behavioral, emotional or substance-related health issues, including mental health care professionals, clergy and first-responders. The presentation also is available to organizations, businesses and churches upon request. Free information and resource materials will be available. A special dedication ceremony announcing DSBA NEO’s new lending library also will be conducted. The event is free and open to the public. Details: 440-749-6587, 440-344-3951 or crossdbsarecovery@yahoo.com.


The "Get Ready for Summer Reading Book Sale" at Madison Public Library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road, will be May 19 through 21. Hundreds of books for kids, teens, and adults will be for sale for $1 or less. Magazines, CDs, DVDs, and videos will be on sale, too. The sale will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 19 and 20, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 21. Friends of the Madison Library Preview Night is Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. Memberships may be purchased at the door. New this year is a silent auction, which will run through May 27. Three books will be displayed and open for bids: "Tapestry of Life" by Howard Buffett; a unique fold-out book, "A Flight of Butterflies," from the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and "God’s Man: A Novel in Woodcuts" by Lund Ward. Details: 440-428-2189.


Pop City will be 11 a.m. to noon May 21 in the Mentor Library Children's Theater, 8215 Mentor Ave. Special father/child program will feature how to make and break a code, doodle in the dark and make a fossil. Kids ages 6 years old and older and their dads or other adult male-role model are welcome. Details and registration: 440-255-8811.


The East Cuyahoga County Genealogical Society is sponsoring a free program commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. This event is open to the public and will feature three speakers who will address different aspects of the historic conflict:

• Harold George, lecturer, author and Civil War re-enactor will appear in uniform and present "One Man's Hunt for Civil War Gravesites."
• Marjorie Wilson, a retired teacher, member of the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable and a guide at Lakeview Cemetery will discuss Civil War Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett's experiences based on his diaries and letters to his wife.
• A historian and author, John Vacha, will focus on "Behind Bayonets: The Civil War in Northern Ohio" which is based on the book he co-authored with the late David Van Tassel and feature interesting local details.

The program will be noon to 5 p.m. May 21 at the Euclid Library, 631 E. 222nd St. Details: Stacie at 216-379-0749 (evenings or weekends) or Mac at mksauer4@roadrunner.com.


The monthly meeting of the Kids at Work-A Lego Brick Building Club will be 3 to 4:30 p.m. May 21 in the James R. Garfield Room at the Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Parents are welcome to attend with their child. No registration is necessary. Details: 440-255-8811.


Author Barbara Smith will be at Barnes & Noble, 7900 Mentor Ave., Mentor, from 1 to 4 p.m. May 22 for a book signing. Details: www.barbarasmithbooks.com.

Coming up

Book and Brush Club will meet to discuss "The Wayward Muse" by Elizabeth Hickey at 7 p.m. May 25 at the Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Light refreshments will be served. For details on how to explore the fine arts through literature, call the library at 440-255-8811 ext. 210.


Profilers Crime Time will meet at 7 p.m. May 26 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Members will discuss "The High Window" by Raymond Chandler. Light refreshments will be served. For a copy of the book, please go to the Information Services desk. Details: 440-255-8811, ext. 214.


The Friends of the Burton Public Library will have a book sale in the library basement from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28. Items available include books, magazines, vintage materials, maps, records, CDs, tapes, movies and puzzles. Please enter the sale through the white door located at the back of the building, 14588 W. Park St.


Twenty Something Readers will meet at Panera, 9587 Mentor Ave., Mentor, at 6:30 p.m. May 31. The group will discuss April's selection of "The Nation" by Terry Pratchett. Refreshments will be served. For more information and to get a copy of the book, contact Mentor Library at 440-255-8811.

Ongoing events

Special storytimes with Mr. Dennis begin May 16 as the Mentor Library children's department gears up for its summer reading program. Mr. Dennis will be providing special storytimes for two weeks between May 16 and May 27. Details: 440-255-8811.


National Candy Month Contest at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., will be May 16 through June 16. June is Candy Month. Check out books from the children's area and receive one chance at guessing how many candies are in the jar. The person with the closest answer wins the jar. One guess per child, per day. The winner will be announced June 17. Details: 440-255-8811.


Tours of the Penfield House, a local home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, will take place at 3, 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. June 9. Because of the popularity of this fundraiser for the 2011 Summer Reading Program, registration will be done by a random lottery. To be entered into the lottery, call the Willowick Library at 440-943-4151, ext. 3. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. May 21. Be ready to rank in order a preference of tour times. Cost of the tour is $25 per person. Transportation will depart from the Willoughby Hills Library, 35400 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

That was the time this man read to his daughter - every night - for more than nine years!
In case anyone doubts the power of reading to your children, this video serves as a wonderful reminder. Not just for the educational benefits, but for the bonding time as well!
I admit I teared up a bit when he talked about reading to her on the day he dropped her off at college.

Watch the story here.

-Tricia Ambrose

I feel a little guilty saying this, but I was disappointed by "The Ride: A Shocking Murder and a Bereaved Father's Journey from Rage to Redemption."
Written by Boston Globe reporter Brian MacQuarrie, The Ride is the true story of the murder of 10-year-old Jeffrey Curley and how his father found healing.

I thought MacQuarrie did a terrific job penning the crime portion of the book. He delivers just enough detail to impress upon the reader the horror of the killing and its immediate aftermath without being gratutitous.
My heart broke for Jeffrey and those he left behind.
I shared his father's rage and desire to see those who had murdered his son executed.
Bob Curley's journey takes him in the opposite direction; he is today an outspoken critic of the death penalty.
I didn't understand the transformation.
His meeting of folks in similar circumstances who had found a measure of peace without craving that ultimate punishment didn't seem enough to have caused such a change. I hoped for more insight into Curley's thought process.

Watch Bob Curley and Brian MacQuarries discuss the work on NECN.com.


How does one find the strength to move on? What kind of soul-searching goes into letting go of such understandable rage? Can you ever be truly happy again?
Perhaps it's just the nature of third-person versus first-person story-telling.
The Ride did remind me that until you've walked a mile in these folks' shoes - and God knows, none of us wants to do that - it's impossible to fathom.
All those left behind in the wake of such senseless crimes are coping the best way they know how.

Connect with The Ride on Facebook.

- Tricia Ambrose

Odds and Book Ends features activities and events in the area related to libraries, books and authors. Submit your events at www.News-Herald.com/Calendar, and check back to The Book Club every week for upcoming events and activities at your local library.

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This week

Larry Morrow, author of "This is Larry Morrow ...," will be at the South Euclid Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 4645 Mayfield Road, from 7 to 8 p.m. May 9 Details: 216-382-4880. Click here to read an excerpt from "This is Larry Morrow ..."


Learn Internet basics at computer classes this month at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Internet Basics will be 4 p.m. May 9 and 10 a.m. May 10. Email Basics will be 4 p.m. May 23 and 10 a.m. May 24. A librarian will help set up a Yahoo email account and teach participants how to use it. Seating is limited to 10 people. Details: 440-255-8811 or www.mentorpl.org.


Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, has planned basic computer classes. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. Computer Basics will be at 10 a.m. every Monday; the class will explore how computers work and advance to using the Internet. Microsoft Word 2010 will be at 3 p.m. every Thursday; the class will look at what is new in the 2010 version and the basics of Word. Classes are in the classroom on the lower level. Details: 440-352-3383 or www.morleylibrary.org.


Reel Talk-Book and Movie Discussion Group meets at 2:45 p.m. the second Monday of every month in Morley Library's meeting Room B, with the next meeting taking place May 9. Books and DVDs are available at the check-out desk on the main floor. The library is located at 184 Phelps St., Painesville. Details: 440-352-3383 or www.morleylibrary.org.


Bo Peep's lost sheep will visit the Children's Theater at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., at 11 a.m. May 11. One of Little Bo Peep's real live sheep will be at the library. Children will have a chance to get close to one of the library staff's favorite farm animals and hear some stories about his sheep friends. All ages with an adult may register. Details and registration: 440-255-8811.


Chardon Lupus Chat (Medications & You) will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 11 at Chardon Library, 110 E. Park St. The program is presented by the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter. RSVP at 440-717-0183 or info@lupuscleveland.org.


Scrapbooking for Tweens will be 7 to 8 p.m. May 11 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. The event for children ages 8 to 12 years old will be in the Children's Theater. Tweens can bring some favorite photos and use decorative paper and supplies to create a unique scrapbook page. Supplies will be provided. Registration begins May 2. Details and registration: 440-255-8811.


Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village will present a book reading and signing of "WOOF!" by author Neil Markey and illustrator Pam Spremulli from 5 to 8 p.m. May 12 at 15463 Chillicothe Road in Russell Township. Signed books will be available and Rescue Village will receive 25 percent of the proceeds from book sales at the event. The Golden Barkery (www.GoldenBarkery.com) will co-sponsor the event. Spremulli is best known for her award-winning children's book "Letter Birds." Spremulli and Markey live in Chagrin Falls.


"A History of the National Park Service" will be at 7 p.m. May 12 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Learn the history of the National Park Service, and discover the volunteer opportunities a person can partake at the James A. Garfield Historic Site. The program will be presented at the library by members of the James A. Garfield Historic Site. This program is free and open to the public. Register at 440-255-9911 or www.mentorpl.org.


The Friends of the Willoughby-Eastlake Library will have a book/audio-visual sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 13, 14 and 16 at the Eastlake Library, 36706 Lake Shore Blvd. The Friends will raffle baskets filled with books and gifts. Tickets for the raffle are 50 cents each and can be purchased during library hours. Details: 440-942-7880.


Mentor Library's Headlands Branch, 4669 Corduroy Road, will have a Friday the 13th event from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. May 13. Those ages 3 1/2 to 10 will hear lore and tales of superstition and origin of "Friday the 13th." Details and registration: 440-257-2000.


Dan Coughlin, author of "Crazy, With the Papers to Prove It," will be at the Chagrin Falls Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 100 E. Orange St., from 2 to 3 p.m. May 15. Details: 440-247-3556.


Registration begins May 9 for Paws to Read at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Children ages 6 to 12 who can read independently can sign up for a 30-minute session May 18. They will be paired with a gentle dog, licensed and trained to be a good listener. Details: 440-255-8811.

Coming up

The Book Club for Men will meet at 7 p.m. May 16 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. The group will discuss the book "Americans in Paris: Life and Death under Nazi Occupation" by Charles Glass. Light refreshments will be served. For a copy of the book, go to the information services desk, or for more information contact the library at 440-255-8811, ext. 215. Book Club for Men is free and open to the public.


"10 Steps to Living with Lupus" from the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning May 17 at Willoughby Library, 30 Public Square. Reservations are required for each step at 440-717-0183 or info@lupuscleveland.org.


Pop City will be 11 a.m. to noon May 21 in the Mentor Library Children's Theater, 8215 Mentor Ave. Special father/child program will feature how to make and break a code, doodle in the dark and make a fossil. Kids ages 6 years old and older and their dads or other adult male-role model are welcome. Details and registration: 440-255-8811.


The East Cuyahoga County Genealogical Society is sponsoring a free program commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. This event is open to the public and will feature three speakers who will address different aspects of the historic conflict:

• Harold George, lecturer, author and Civil War re-enactor will appear in uniform and present "One Man's Hunt for Civil War Gravesites."
• Marjorie Wilson, a retired teacher, member of the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable and a guide at Lakeview Cemetery will discuss Civil War Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett's experiences based on his diaries and letters to his wife.
• A historian and author, John Vacha, will focus on "Behind Bayonets: The Civil War in Northern Ohio" which is based on the book he co-authored with the late David Van Tassel and feature interesting local details.

The program will be noon to 5 p.m. May 21 at the Euclid Library, 631 E. 222nd St. Details: Stacie at 216-379-0749 (evenings or weekends) or Mac at mksauer4@roadrunner.com.


The monthly meeting of the Kids at Work-A Lego Brick Building Club will be 3 to 4:30 p.m. May 21 in the James R. Garfield Room at the Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Parents are welcome to attend with their child. No registration is necessary. Details: 440-255-8811.

Ongoing events

Special story times with Mr. Dennis begin May 16 as the Mentor Library children's department gears up for its summer reading program. Mr. Dennis will be providing special story times for two weeks between May 16 and May 27. Details: 440-255-8811.


National Candy Month Contest at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., will be May 16 through June 16. June is Candy Month. Check out books from the children's area and receive one chance at guessing how many candies are in the jar. The person with the closest answer wins the jar. One guess per child, per day. The winner will be announced June 17. Details: 440-255-8811.


Tours of the Penfield House, a local home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, will take place at 3, 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. June 9. Because of the popularity of this fundraiser for the 2011 Summer Reading Program, registration will be done by a random lottery. To be entered into the lottery, call the Willowick Library at 440-943-4151, ext. 3. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. May 21. Be ready to rank in order a preference of tour times. Cost of the tour is $25 per person. Transportation will depart from the Willoughby Hills Library, 35400 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Odds and Book Ends features activities and events in the area related to libraries, books and authors. Submit your events at www.News-Herald.com/Calendar, and check back to The Book Club every week for upcoming events and activities at your local library.

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This week

Make a craft all day at the Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., in the Children's Department. Children can come in any time during the day to make a balancing butterfly craft. Stop by the children's desk for details. Supplies are limited. Details: 440-255-8811.


The Willoughby Area Support Group of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 2 at Willoughby Library, 30 Public Square.


Mentor Library's Monday Night Book Discussion meets the first Monday of each month from October through June, with the next meeting slated for May 2. For this month's selection, contact librarian Barb Hauer at 440-255-8811, ext. 210. The library provides books, and refreshments are courtesy of the Friends of the Library.


At the upcoming regular meeting of the East Cuyahoga County Genealogical Society, Tom Neel, Ohio Genealogical Society Library director, will present a program on doing research in Ohio county courthouses. In addition, he will give an update on the new Ohio Genealogical Society Library, located in Bellville.
The presentation will be at 7 p.m. May 2 at the Ross C. DeJohn Community Center, 6306 Marsol Road, Mayfield Heights. Guests are welcome to attend for a $3 visitor fee that may be applied to membership. The facility is handicap accessible. Details: Stacie at 216-379-0749 (evenings or weekends) or Mac at mksauer4@roadrunner.com.


A free Medicare information program will be at 7 p.m. May 4 at Willowick Library, 263 E. 305th St. If you are approaching age 65 or going on Medicare for the first time, this is an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of how Medicare works. Speaker Laura Mutsko designed the class to make the Medicare system easy to navigate and understand. Mutsko is the owner of Mutsko Insurance LLC and has been a license insurance agent since 1997. She has extensive experience in the insurance industry, much of it in the field of elder insurance products and services. To register, call the library at 440-943-4151.


Perry Library will belatedly celebrate Earth Day at 7 p.m. May 5 at the library (3753 Main St.) when Lakeland Community College professor Lisa Lewins discusses the "greening" of that institution. For more details on the program, click here. To register for the free program, call 440-259-3300 or visit perrypubliclibrary.org.


Children ages 3 and older are invited to a Mad Hatter Tea Party from noon to 2 p.m. May 6 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Take a trip down the rabbit hole with activities, crafts, stories and refreshments. Please bring a teacup. Details and registration: 440-255-8811.


Mentor Library's Headlands Branch, 4669 Corduroy Road, is hosting a Mother's Day Appreciation for children 3 to 10 years old at 3:45 p.m. May 6. Make a special gift and card for Mom. Details and registration: 440-257-2000.


Comics and Friends presents Archie Comics writer Craig Boldman as part of Free Comic Book Day, May 7 at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. Visit www.comicsandfriends.com.


Friends of the Kirtland Public Library will host a book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 7. The library is at 9267 Chillicothe Road.

Coming up

Larry Morrow, author of "This is Larry Morrow ...," will be at the South Euclid Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 4645 Mayfield Road, from 7 to 8 p.m. May 9 Details: 216-382-4880. Click here to read an excerpt from "This is Larry Morrow ..."


Reel Talk-Book and Movie Discussion Group meets at 2:45 p.m. the second Monday of every month in Morley Library's meeting Room B, with the next meeting taking place May 9. Books and DVDs are available at the check-out desk on the main floor. The library is located at 184 Phelps St., Painesville. Details: 440-352-3383 or www.morleylibrary.org.


Bo Peep's lost sheep will visit the Children's Theater at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., at 11 a.m. May 11. One of Little Bo Peep's real live sheep will be at the library. Children will have a chance to get close to one of the library staff's favorite farm animals and hear some stories about his sheep friends. All ages with an adult may register. Details and registration: 440-255-8811.


Chardon Lupus Chat (Medications & You) will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 11 at Chardon Library, 110 E. Park St. The program is presented by the Lupus Foundation of America Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter. RSVP at 440-717-0183 or info@lupuscleveland.org.


Scrapbooking for Tweems will be 7 to 8 p.m. May 11 at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. The event for children ages 8 to 12 years old will be in the Children's Theater. Tweens can bring some favorite photos and use decorative paper and supplies to create a unique scrapbook page. Supplies will be provided. Registration begins May 2. Details and registration: 440-255-8811.


Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village will present a book reading and signing of "WOOF!" by author Neil Markey and illustrator Pam Spremulli from 5 to 8 p.m. May 12 at 15463 Chillicothe Road in Russell Township. Signed books will be available and Rescue Village will receive 25 percent of the proceeds from book sales at the event. The Golden Barkery (www.GoldenBarkery.com) will co-sponsor the event. Spremulli is best known for her award-winning children's book "Letter Birds." Spremulli and Markey live in Chagrin Falls.


Mentor Library's Headlands Branch, 4669 Corduroy Road, will have a Friday the 13th event from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. May 13. Those ages 3 1/2 to 10 will hear lore and tales of superstition and origin of "Friday the 13th." Details and registration: 440-257-2000.


Dan Coughlin, author of "Crazy, With the Papers to Prove It," will be at the Chagrin Falls Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 100 E. Orange St., from 2 to 3 p.m. May 15. Details: 440-247-3556.


Registration begins May 9 for Paws to Read at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave. Children ages 6 to 12 who can read independently can sign up for a 30-minute session May 18. They will be paired with a gentle dog, licensed and trained to be a good listener. Details: 440-255-8811.

Ongoing events

National Candy Month Contest at Mentor Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., will be May 16 through June 16. June is Candy Month. Check out books from the children's area and receive one chance at guessing how many candies are in the jar. The person with the closest answer wins the jar. One guess per child, per day. The winner will be announced June 17. Details: 440-255-8811.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl